Ten Hag on Utd injury latest ahead of Community Shield season opener against neighbours City
Ten Hag on Utd injury latest ahead of Community Shield season opener against neighbours City
08/08/2024
Carrington training centre, Manchester, UK
08/08/2024
Carrington training centre, Manchester, UK
Transcript
00:00Eric, could you just update us on injuries within your squad ahead of this game?
00:07Harry Maguire missed the game against Liverpool,
00:10I just wondered how he was and how everybody else is.
00:13Harry Maguire missed the game, yeah, it was precaution,
00:17but it's still a question mark for Saturday.
00:20So, we have training, we have to see whether he's fit enough or not to be available.
00:29What about Victor?
00:31Victor, yeah, he played, but also he's a question mark,
00:37and also Assa and Luke Shaw, they are also both question marks,
00:42we have to assess them tomorrow.
00:44Just in terms of the players who didn't go to the USA,
00:48who played in the Euros and Copa America,
00:52how easy will it be for them to play in a game at Wembley on Saturday?
00:59That is individual-based, it's a different background.
01:06We all put them on off-season programmes,
01:09but they are all different stats as well,
01:13in the pre-season, in the weeks we were in the USA.
01:18So, from individual to individual, we will assess them and make a decision
01:24whether they start or they come from the bench, or they don't play.
01:29Sorry, I was just thinking that if there are doubts over Harry and Victor,
01:34is Martínez able to play central defence, or would you have to look at another option?
01:41No, we think about Milica, to be involved in the game.
01:46Can I just ask you one question about a player who was on the trip,
01:50Mason Mount, who had a very difficult time last season?
01:55He did well in the USA, what are you expecting from him this season?
02:02We know he is a high-class player, just bringing his skills in.
02:12Last season he had a very bad season, a very tough season for him,
02:17because of all his injuries, so we are now very pleased.
02:21He has had a very good pre-season,
02:24and I'm sure he will now, from this point on, continue to the team.
02:29Stay fit, but it counts for every player.
02:33Eric, you've said you're eager to do business,
02:38have you got any update in terms of how close you might be to bringing a new face?
02:43When we have news, we will announce it.
02:48But you see in the market, it is quite quiet still.
02:55But we have done our business, we have done two deals.
03:00But, yeah, it's about timings, and it's about the market options,
03:08and it's about, in the right moment, doing the right things.
03:11In the last few days, particularly, you've been heavily linked with a centre in the field,
03:15have you been able to identify the player you want to try and recruit in an ideal world?
03:21I don't go into details where we are now in recruitment,
03:26but where we are working on, of course.
03:30We know what we're doing, I think we are in a good position with the squad,
03:37and for you, just wait, be patient, and in the right moment we will tell you.
03:46Do you have to sell before you can buy? Is that part of the patience required?
03:50No, we did already, we bought already.
03:54And as I said, we have a squad, where in every position there is a double occupation.
04:03And just finally on Jadon Sancho, he's played centrally for you in the last couple of games,
04:08in pre-season, do you expect him, or are you going to challenge him to play centrally for you
04:14while we're waiting for Rasmus to get fit?
04:16No, but you know it.
04:18Jadon, I think he can play across the whole front line,
04:23so he can use an option for more than one position,
04:28and it depends on how you set up the team.
04:32You can look at your own tactics, game model, but also to opponents, what fits the best.
04:40So what is necessary for a game, and Jadon, he has some abilities,
04:47and you can use them in a game, and you can use your tactics in the next game.
04:54OK, last question in this section.
04:56Good afternoon.
04:58Given the injuries and the various fitness levels of the players,
05:02where does Saturday's game fit in your list of priorities,
05:06given it's against one of your big rivals?
05:10We always want to win, also in all the friendlies, and it's about the trophy.
05:22So we will put out a team that is very competitive to win this trophy,
05:28but it's also pre-season, and we don't go into big risks with players.
05:36That's also a normal approach into this game.